Hi all,
Newbie to the group here. Have been reading all 100 pages of feedback with some very interesting and eye opening facts to digest. It's been a blast ! Building in the Hunter with M - we think. So far progress seems to be a little slow. We are going a Symphony MBTF with some minor changes (e.g. bathrooms out to eaves, removing/enlarging niches, added alfresco, enlarging garage etc). Time line so far:
Initial quote - 22 April
Land exchange contracts - 1 May
Paid $3.5K - 17 May (would have been earlier expect M salespeople on leave)
Land settled - 5 June
1st draft plans - 4 July (6+ weeks from 3.5K) Multiple variations required. Revisited M 1 day later to cover off.
It's now 24 July and still nothing further and no timeframe from M, even though the changes were advised would be done in 2 weeks. M have sat on their own soil test since 4 June that stated 'E' class slab required - which is fairly bad. Our contracts for the land had a soil test included and was noted as 'H' class and this is what M have been quoting on. They say they do not look at their own soil tests until variations are made. So they knew about this for 5 weeks.
Our problem is we cannot even get a timeframe from M's salespeople, let alone a price and instructions on what an 'E' class slab will increase the cost of building with them. They just tell us they are following it up daily and we should be patient. Our 90 day tender expires on 17 August, so I am extremely concerned that they will re-jig all of the pricing (to include Carbon Tax price increases etc.) if we don't sign a contract before this date.
Was going fairly smoothly up until this latest soil test result, but am not getting much confidence from M that they even have a price schedule for an 'E' class slab.
Do you think its time we involve other prospective builders? Over to you FORUM.
Hi pacificisis, and welcome to the forum.
We all know how you feel. For us, at most times M has done things to progress on the last day before contract expires, or add a variation to the contract to extend, something they can do for their benefit, but not the other way around.
From the rest of members here building with M, looks like it is a long and daunting wait to get to construction stage. Once there, it all seems to speed up.
Hope you have the patience.